Post 45: Dear Reader... đ
Five days and counting until my memoir is out! Sharing a little note a few ahead of my book's release, plus interview links and a reminder about the upcoming book launch tour!
Dear Reader,
The title of this book, It Wasnât Meant to Be Perfect has three meanings: First, itâs a line of lyrics from a song I wrote back in 2021, around the same time I started the book proposal. Itâs also a nod to my disability, osteogenesis imperfecta (rough translation: not perfect bone formation). Finally, itâs an acknowledgement of the inconvenient truth that so often our biggest periods of growth, creativity, and meaningful contributions come just after weathering lifeâs storms. Perhaps it wasnât meant to be perfect, after all. Maybe we need to make mistakes, andâif we remain openâmaybe they can teach us how to grow wiser and kinder. And since the tender sorrows of living and dying remain stubbornly unavoidable, maybe we could find more peace if we gently accepted them as part of the package.
Make no mistake, It Wasnât Meant to Be Perfect is not a memoir about accepting the status quo! Itâs my firm belief that we can and must work to create a more loving, just, welcoming world for everyone. But it helps to remember, on our good days and our bad days, that weâre all just human beings doing our best. Inevitably weâll go through dark periodsâbut let us never give up hope that a brighter future is possible.
By 2018, I had played hundreds of shows all around the United States (and in several other countries) as a disabled touring musician, yet almost none of the venues were wheelchair accessible. I got the distinct impression that accessibility was such a low priority that it wasnât even on the venuesâ radars. To make matters worse, I had talked with too many disabled people after my shows who told me, wistfully, that they had wanted to play a musical instrument as a child, but that their teacher had told them it was impossible due to their physical âlimitationsâ. Their musical dreams had gone unrealized.
It was around this same time (in the middle of 2018) that audience members started asking when I was going to write a memoir. Truthfully, the concept of writing a book sounded pretty overwhelming. But I couldnât fully shake the idea. Eventually I had developed an overarching theme: All people are valuable, are deserving of care, and are capable of living fulfilling, creative lives if they have the right support.
Since nearly all parts of life are touched by my physical disability, I knew that disability was going to be a big part of my narrative no matter what. However, I didnât want this memoir to feel like a textbook. So I began thinking of my book as a âdisability sneak attackâ. I wanted people to enjoy the musical story line, but I also wanted them to learn a bunch about disability (and about disability history) along the way.
I hope that after reading my lifelong journey with musicâplaying violin, songwriting, performing, and touringâpeople will feel emboldened to pursue their own creative passions, whether or not they are disabled. I believe weâre all creative beings, and that making art is one way to connect with the divine.
And I hope, more than anything, that this book adds to the collective imagination of what we think is possible for disabled people. I am no superheroâI was just a disabled kid with big dreams who grew up in a supportive environment. My parents werenât financially wealthy, but they were rich in love and encouragement. My teachers were empowering and creative. My mentors genuinely wanted to help me. What priceless gifts these are, and I believe they are gifts that every single child, disabled or not, deserves. I sincerely hope my book helps to further the ideas of a more equitable, brighter future for all.
Thank you so much for reading... It truly means the world to me.
With Love,
Gaelynn Lea
MORE RECENT ARTICLES + INTERVIEWS ABOUT THE BOOK:
Kirkus Reviews: I was thrilled at their take: âOptimistic, hopeful, vulnerable, and filled with delight⊠A lovely memoir celebrating disability, family, and art.â
MN READSâ103.3 The North: I had a great time talking with fellow Duluth artist Luke Moravec today about the bookâs title, the Tiny Desk & my book release.
The Minnesota Star Tribune: It was delightful to chat with Chris Hewitt about musical theater, my passion for Lake Superior, and my beloved electric wheelchair.
Duluth News Tribune: Longtime MN journalist Jay Gabler created a really fun event timeline of my life in Duluth and my music career, including lots of pictures!
Conversations with Musicians: I had a good follow-up conversation with fellow violinist Leah Roseman about my book. You can find our first conversation here.
The Big Issue: Iâm pumped that my book will also be available in the UK, Ireland, and Australiaâand Iâm so glad this Aussie magazine decided to feature my essay!
Ms. MagazineâApril 2026 Reads for the Rest of Us: I was super surprised and excited to be included in the monthly (feminist!) book round-up for Ms. Magazine.
Publishers Weekly: Sharing this conversation once again with Duluthian-based, national book reviewer Claire Kirch, whoâs joining me at the Duluth Book Launch!
BOOK TOUR EVENTSâTICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE, SO COME SAY HI!
Paul and I are busy prepping for my âPub Dateâ, which officially kicks off a series of eight Book Launch + Concerts across the country⊠Iâd really love to see you at a show!
ACCESS: All venues on this tour are wheelchair accessible and will have ASL interpretation.
BOOKS: Books will be sold at each venue, and Iâll be able to sign them for you after the event!
April 14 in Duluth, MN: Book Launch and Concert at Zeitgeist Theater, with Zenith Bookstoreâfeaturing conversation partners Claire Kirch & Walt Dizzo
April 18 in NYC: Book Launch and Concert at Joeâs Pub, with McNally Jackson Booksâfeaturing conversation partners ChloĂ© Cooper Jones & Xian Horn
April 19 in Farmington, CT: Book Launch and Concert at Stanley Whitman House (books sold by venue)âfeaturing conversation partner Andy Verzosa
April 23 in Chicagoland (Winnetka, IL): Book Launch and Concert at Winnetka Chapel, with The Book Stallâfeaturing conversation partner Leigh Stein
April 27 in The North Bay (Novato, CA): Book Launch and Concert at HopMonk Tavern, with Copperfieldâs Books Novatoâfeaturing Matt Jaffe
April 28 in San Francisco, CA: Book Launch and Concert at San Francisco Disability Cultural Center, with Book Passageâfeaturing conversation partner Haben Girma (In-Person and Online! Registration Required. ASL and Captions.)
April 30 in Minneapolis, MN: Book Launch and Concert at Open Eye Theatre, with Magers & Quinn Booksellersâwith Matthew Sanford & Nikki Villavicencio
May 4th in the Boston Area (Cambridge, MA): Book Launch and Concert at Cambridge Public Libraryâfeaturing Adrian Anantawan & Colleen Flanagan
DONâT FORGET: ANOTHER SUBSTACK ZOOM BOOK CLUB ON SUNDAY!
I have really been enjoying the monthly Substack Zooms lately, and even though the book is nearly out, I didnât want to skip a month! So weâll be chatting about the themes in Chapters 9 to 14 of Pema Chodronâs book, Welcoming the Unwelcome.
Come join in on the discussion, even if you donât get a chance to read the book ahead of time! Itâs a very thought-provoking topic, especially during these times.
Next session: April 12th at 2pm CT, Read Chapters 9-14 ahead of time, if able.
Last session: May 17th at 2pm CT, Read Chapters 15-20 ahead of time, if able.
These events are for Paid Subscribers only. Not a paid subscriber? You can join here!
Okay, so thatâs it for now, dear Friends! I hope you know how much I have appreciated your thoughtful texts and voicemails and messages as the release date approaches. I am seriously so incredibly lucky to have this much support in my life, and I do not take it for granted. So thank you, thank you, thank you. I hope the book and all that comes afterwards can help to build a more supportive, kind, and caring world for all.
Love,
Gaelynn Lea